2010 Girls’ And Boys’ Swimming Preview:

GLENDALE — Area high school swimming has lost one star attraction, but regained another just as quickly.

The graduation of the record-breaking Yumi So from Crescenta Valley High and the return to Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy of former CIF titlist Andrea Kropp after a one-year hiatus to focus on training and club competition are dual storylines that will no doubt have an impact on the 2010 campaign for the two premier girls’ swimming programs on the local scene.

“Honestly, I think we’re stronger this year,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Robert Miller, whose team shared the Pacific League title with Arcadia last year before being represented memorably by So at the CIF Southern Section Division II finals and Masters Meet. “Last year we had a marquee swimmer, but we didn’t have anything to back it up.

“This year we have speed spread around more girls. We’ve got that depth of field that’s gonna carry us. I feel it’s gonna be a really exciting year.”

So has moved on to USC, leaving a slew of league, CIF and Masters Meet titles and records in her wake. While the Falcons don’t have any heir apparent on the horizon to So’s individual dominance, they have enough collective talent on hand to remain a force in league and build a contingent for CIF.

Tri-captains Emily Thai and Julia Warden, both seniors, and junior Adrienne Ingalla lead a strong group of upperclassmen that will be supported by freshman additions, such as butterfly specialist Robin Yi. Depth and determination will be the keys to how far the Falcons go without So.

“They want to start getting their CIF times as soon as possible,” Miller said. “They’re all right there and they’re really aiming for it.”

Sacred Heart, under the direction of new Coach Steve Bergen, is in a similar situation to last year’s Falcons squad. Just as Crescenta Valley looked to wrestle the Pacific League title back from Arcadia in 2009, the Tologs are on a quest to regain the Mission League crown from Alemany, which thwarted Sacred Heart’s attempt at a three-peat last year.

The Tologs will also look to get more swimmers and relays beyond the CIF prelims in Division I, which proved to be a stiff challenge when they made the jump from Division II last season.